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Promysalin, a salicylate-containing Pseudomonas putida antibiotic, promotes surface colonization and selectively

Wen Li1, Paulina Estrada-de los Santos, Sandra Matthijs

  • 1Centre of Microbial and Plant Genetics, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Heverlee-Leuven 3001, Belgium.

Chemistry & Biology
|November 1, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Pseudomonas putida RW10S1 produces the antibiotic promysalin, which aids its own growth and inhibits competitors like Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This study identifies the biosynthetic pathway for this unique bacterial colonization factor.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • The Gac regulatory system controls Pseudomonas putida RW10S1's production of promysalin.
  • Promysalin promotes swarming and biofilm formation in P. putida RW10S1.
  • Promysalin selectively inhibits other pseudomonads, including the pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the biosynthetic pathway of promysalin.
  • To identify the genes and enzymes responsible for promysalin synthesis.
  • To understand the role of promysalin as a bacterial colonization factor.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of the promysalin biosynthetic gene cluster.
  • Identification of biosynthetic intermediates.
  • Biochemical characterization of key enzymes.

Main Results:

  • Promysalin is an amphipathic antibiotic composed of salicylic acid and 2,8-dihydroxymyristamide.
  • The biosynthetic gene cluster contains genes for salicylic acid synthesis, fatty acid biosynthesis, and unique tailoring enzymes.
  • Key enzymes include Rieske-type oxygenases, an amidotransferase, a proline-loading module, and a BAHD acyltransferase.

Conclusions:

  • A novel pathway for promysalin synthesis has been proposed.
  • The identified genes and enzymes provide insight into the biosynthesis of this bacterial colonization factor.
  • Understanding promysalin biosynthesis may offer strategies to control Pseudomonas species.

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